Youth Softball Drills – Home-Run Derby

Purpose:  To end practice on a high note and have fun during softball hitting drills.

Procedure: This drill will need four bases, a bucket of softballs, a fence or some cones.  Place three bases (or four depending on the age of the participants) five to eight feet apart from one another in a straight line toward second base. Each base represents home plate. Older players use the base farthest from second as home plate, while younger hitters stand at the base closest to second. Players scatter around the field to field the balls. The coach pitches a predetermined number of balls for shallow center field. If a player hits the ball over the fence, it is a home. The batter gets an extra swing for every home run. If there is no fence, set up a boundary with cones.

This is the only drill where players are encouraged to hit home runs. Coaches should not be concerned with me quality of a player's swing. This drill is primarily a fun exercise to break up or finish a practice. Point out good fielding plays during this drill. Positive reinforcement is important because it emphasizes that, even in fun drills, mastering the fundamentals is the key to a successful softball team. If very few home runs are being hit, move the bases closer to the outfield grass.